I was excited when this commission came my way — the client gave me a dream scenario. It would be a challenge pushing me to work very large and maintain precisely what I convey in my work entirely. I am pleased with the final result.
Ten Cameras
2024 San Francisco Art Fair
I’ll have new work showing at the upcoming San Francisco Art Fair with the Billis Williams Gallery from April 25 – 28.
Last year, I had a few bird ‘ s-eye view paintings of typewriters at the fair, so this year, I returned with a few more.
I am now working on a very large 60-inch x 40-inch complex commission. It will take me a long time and I’m excited to share it once I’ve worked past the difficult first few layers of paint.
Blacking Out
Last month, I visited the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and saw an exhibition that displayed numerous Dutch paintings from the 17th century. They’re always so striking with the details, and the very dark settings make the subjects emerge from the depths. So, on my return, I decided to keep experimenting with my subject and paint this Corona No.3 typewriter. My technique has always been an adapted indirect Dutch master’s style approach, but I settled on a high-key bright setting for my subjects. Sometimes, it’s nice to step out of your comfort zone and take a trip back in time. This painting is currently showing in New York City at the George Billis Gallery.
Fresh Off the Easel
I just finished this fifth painting in my Memory: Facts and Fallacies series. It’s on the way to New York to be shown at the George Billis Gallery.
A Quick Trip to Los Angeles
I have returned from a whirlwind trip to Los Angeles to attend the opening reception of my current solo exhibition at the Billis Williams Gallery.
I went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where I saw an exhibition called “The World Made Wonderous,” showcasing 17th-century Dutch collections, including many paintings from which I draw direct influence. I won’t get too nerdy here, but I was entirely in my element and wandered through the gallery twice to absorb as much as possible.
Then, it was off to the gallery for the reception, where I met and talked with artists, collectors, and curious gallerygoers. The conversations I have during the receptions are always so encouraging. The best part is connecting with Tressa Williams, principal director of the gallery, who has shown my work for thirteen years. The key to any artist’s success is having a team of enthusiastic people who share your work with the world — that is precisely what Tressa does.
Piles of Unread Books
Several years ago, I painted a small series of “tsundoku” paintings. You can read about them here.
I am including a few new piles of unread books in my upcoming Los Angeles exhibition at the Billis Williams Gallery.
Now that I fully have a phone-brain and a mild dopamine-scrolling addiction, I find it more and more difficult to read books the way I used to. But I am up for the challenge and work my best to set aside time to read like it’s the olden times.
The exhibition of new paintings opens on Saturday, February 24th. I will be at the reception from 4pm–7pm that day.
Recent Clock Paintings
These two pieces will be part of my upcoming exhibition in Los Angeles at the Billis Williams Gallery, opening on February 24th.
My last exhibition in New York involved many large paintings, so this time around, I decided to work on a slightly smaller group of canvases.
Also, the black. Let’s talk about it. Years and years ago, I regularly set my work on deep black ground. I gradually phased that out and worked exclusively on white — or near-white grounds. In the past few years, I have done smaller paintings in black; it revealed my subject in a fresh and new way. So, above is the first of a slightly larger painting of what will become a new direction for my work.
Below, we have a neutral grey approach. Another way to make the subjects pop right off of the canvas.
Upcoming Los Angeles Exhibition
At the end of February, we will see the opening of an exhibition of my latest paintings in Los Angeles at the Billis Williams Gallery. I have been working on tiny details for months now.
The subjects will be familiar to anyone who has seen my work before. Perhaps this time, you will catch new groupings of subjects with more contrast and depth in the lighting.
In a word, the theme of this body of work would be Memory.
I will share more of the new paintings in the coming weeks.
Itoya 2024 Calendar
Here it is! The 2024 edition of Itoya’s calendar featuring my work is sold exclusively in Itoya’s stores in Japan. I think the 2024 calendar is particularly good, with a selection of 12 paintings that I am very proud of.
Florida Art Fair
New work has just arrived in Miami for the upcoming art fair season. I sent two new bubble gum paintings to be shown with the George Billis Gallery. The Red Dot Fair runs from December 6–10.
Who doesn’t love a big colourful bubblegum machine?
And so again, I have entered the quiet, busy painting phase as I work toward an upcoming exhibition in Los Angeles for late February 2024.